Sanbutsuji
Written by: adekun on 6 May, 2008 9:46 pm - Filed under: tottori — 6 Comments »
Nageiredo Hall, Mitokusan
A little way from nearby Kurayoshi is the town of Misasa. While the town is famed for it’s radon spas, Sanbutsuji set upon Mitokusan (Mt. Mitoku) really draws the crowds. The temple’s pinnacle is Nageiredo hall. Back in 706 it is said to have been thrown in the mountain by a monk. It rests between two and three hundred metres above a steep gorge, seemingly defying gravity. (continue reading…)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
Written by: adekun on 5 February, 2008 7:14 am - Filed under: hiroshima — 5 Comments »
On Sunday we spent a few hours at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park. Although the setting is at odds to the camps at Auschwitz, it is none the less moving.
Hiroshima Memorial Cenotaph
I was keen to find out what the museum cited as reasons for the attack and what mention it gave to activities in Asia prior to WWII.
For me the often stated reason never answered the questions. Reading at school, it was easy to spot contradictions. It just seemed the most palatable. What does seem common is Truman’s and Tibbets’s sentiments, and that of Bomber Harris. (continue reading…)
Miyajima
Written by: adekun on 4 February, 2008 6:05 pm - Filed under: hiroshima — 3 Comments »
Early Saturday morning accompanied (and funded) by my wife’s aunty, I boarded a bus bound for Hiroshima. Instead of the expressway we took a route that meandered south through small snow covered towns. Even half way through the four hour journey the signs outside read 0°C. By lunchtime, having been collected by her boyfriend, we were aboard the JR Miyajima Ferry. Since the island is sacred trees are not cut for lumber. Aside from the vista, the first surprise were wild deer roaming about. From the terminal it was only a short walk to the Itsukushima Shrine.
It would be great to spend more time in the autumn, when the leaves turn.
Or see the place set under a bluer sky.
Miyajima torii gate
The heavy rain washed away the plan to visit Iwakuni, as did the traffic to the plan to visit the naval museum at Kure. I did get to bed early though.
Kiyomizu Temple
Written by: adekun on 30 January, 2008 6:18 pm - Filed under: tottori — 4 Comments »
Over the New Year we visited the nearby Kiyomizu Temple. Recently rebuilt, it not as impressive as the one in Kyoto (of the same name), but we came for a different reason, as did hordes of other people. I only got rough idea of the history and have since forgotten most of that. Over 1200 years ago some holy lightning appeared above a mountain. A temple was built at the site to venerate the god(dess) of mercy; bodhisattva Kannon. During the Edo period the temple was enlarged under Lord Matsudaira. There has been a history of fires, hence the reconstruction. It forms part of the Chūgoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
Kiyomizu Temple, Tottori-ken
Bubblebath monster
Written by: adekun on 22 June, 2007 12:17 pm - Filed under: blog — 3 Comments »
On a few occasions, we have been able to give Kento an al fresco bath. Over the past month he is become more and more investigative and mobile. Sometimes a little too audacious, here snorkelling before learning to swim.
If he’s not staring at something, contemplating, he’s trying to eat it. Eyebrows and ears are mauled whilst dribble is drizzled on all comers.
Village Fête
Written by: adekun on 18 June, 2007 1:41 am - Filed under: blog — No Comments »
More of a hamlet really, but with enough Pineau for an established city. Before I get carried away on the subject of Pineau, as I did drinking the stuff, the fête is held once a year. The majority of the locals make an appearance. From the proceeds of the winter hunt, a wild boar is taken from the deep freeze and spit roasted.
Serge amongst others, carving - and yes, that is his hand he is pretending to cut off.
His more rational father Joseph, finishing off the boar in the bread oven. The rain had dampened the embers, but not peoples spirits. The bread for the event was cooked by a local baker in the oven earlier.
Cherry pie was served up, before games of Pétanque and darts.
The Lot
Written by: adekun on 16 June, 2007 12:14 am - Filed under: blog — No Comments »
Under the shadow of unsettled weather, we began our week in the Lot. After a day in and around St Cirq Lapopie, we travelled to the adjoining department to visit the medieval village of Conques. The road meandered along the Lot River, brimming and murky from the recent downpours. Passing a weir further upstream, the sediments flowed along the furthest bank fed by a tributary.
Although a point of contention, I insisted that I wanted to visit Rocamadour when there was little cloud. Perhaps due to providence, the opportunity arose.
Later in the week we toured a Cahors AOC winery, followed by a candlelit dinner for four plus a baby. A tremendous storm passed over knocking out the power for a few hours. Having already closed the windows previously, I returned to fasten the shutters. It was like opening a pressure door on a flooded compartment. Aside from getting really soaked, the force of the wind was so intense it was a job to shut the windows. A couple of rainbows soon appeared.
Yesterday, we returned late to my parent’s cottage and another power cut.
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